15:22

Wake up an Hour Early to Live an Hour More

I have always been an early bird. No matter what time my head hits the pillow the night before, I will wake up between the hours of 5A.M. and 6A.M. without fail. Although sometimes this is far from ideal (e.g. after crawling into bed at 3A.M. from a night out), most of the time I actually really enjoy the extra hours that my early rises give me. I love the stillness of mornings, when it feels like everyone in the world is still fast asleep but me. It helps me to forget about everything that plays on my mind once the rest of the world has awoken and lets me just exist in my own private hour where absolutely nothing matters but me and my own world. It is in these hours that I can look after myself, reflect on my goals and have time to appreciate the beauty of calm without the hustle and bustle of busy life in the way.


 I appreciate that not everyone is a morning person, but the benefits of getting out of bed even as little as half an hour earlier than usual really can have a huge effect on the productivity of your day.

1. You are at your efficient best first thing in the morning and will get things done quicker and to a higher standard. Our brains make better informed decisions after waking up, meaning you are more likely to achieve the goals you set for yourself each morning.

2. Waking up early leads to a better mental outlook. By waking up earlier, it reduces your stress levels and you can avoid the usual morning rush, meaning you are ready to start your day in a much calmer state of mind. 

3. The first hour of our day is meant to set the tone for how positive and relaxed we will feel for the rest of the day, so waking up an hour earlier will leave you time to do something you enjoy before the rush of the day begins. Treat yourself to breakfast in bed with a book, or catch up on some TV instead of doing it late the night before and you will feel more ready and positive about the day ahead.

4. Waking up earlier will help you eat healthier. A survey actually concluded that people who lie in averagely consume 248 more calories a day and tend to lean towards more unhealthy food choices than those who consistently wake up earlier.

5. Those extra minutes will give you time to plan your day and prep your meals. This is something that has been so vitally important for me recently. When you have a busy day, having a yummy and healthy lunch already prepared and ready will mean that you don't end up grabbing something quick, carb heavy and sugary to get you through the rest of your day.

6. Silence. My absolute favourite benefit of the morning. Meditation and complete 'me time' will completely transform your day. You will feel relaxed, you will feel positive and you will feel ready to accomplish everything you hope to. Life seems a lot less scary and a lot less stressful when you and your mind are on the same team.

Remember you can never make time, only utilise it. You are handed 24 hours every day and once they're gone you can't have them back. Time is precious, use it wisely.

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53 comments

  1. Oh, it's very hard for me to wake up early, 'cause I prefer to work at night. You know, more energy. But I do share the proper and healthy diet. You bet!

    Follow me back in Bloglovin https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/fashion-confession-13075113 Thanks! Love your blog!

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  2. I always used to lie-in as late as possible on days off (like 10/11), but since starting YouTube about 2 months ago I've started setting my alarm for 8/9 and I just feel so much more productive! Having those extra couple of hours really do help as before I felt I'd wasted a lot of my day.
    Great post!

    Lizzie // xBeautyMagic // YouTube

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    1. aww im glad youre feeling the benefits! xx

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  3. I hate getting up I leave it til the last possible moment

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    1. haha aww ive always been a morning person x

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  4. I used to love having lie-in's but now I've started to get up consistently around 7am even when I don't need to be up for anything in particular. I find it puts me in a better mind set. And I complete know what you mean about the silence of the morning and how it seems everyone is still asleep; it's so peaceful.
    Emily
    http://dreamuphappiness.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. aw im so glad you feel the same way it do xx

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  5. I'm always so indecisive about having lie-in's or not. I guess I'm a morning person and a night person hahah! You also have an amazing blog, you are my new inspiration. Xx

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  6. Hooray for this post! I am such a morning persona nd am always preaching the benefits of getting up earlier and getting stuff done - these are even more great reasons to keep setting that alarm :)

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  7. I've just started experimenting with waking up earlier, and I agree with everything you've said here!
    It's been a little scary giving up sleep (I still like to stay up late). But I've found I dread going to work so much less when I've already gotten some free time in before heading in the office.
    Now to make it a habit instead of just an experiment! :)
    Abby - http://abbyflynn.com

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  8. It's so true! I would definitely wake up early, but as a teen it's difficult to get the right amount of sleep, so I'm rolling with a 9pm to 7am sleep pattern. I love it when you do these kind of posts, it really inspires me. Thank you!

    - Manna :D
    MannaFest

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    1. I used to have a similar pattern but now it seems to be creeping earlier and earlier haha xx

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  9. I totally agree with you on this!

    I love my sleep and really try for a full eight hours if I can, whether that means hitting my pillow around 10pm or not!! But I am fairly new to having that hour of stillness, before everyone else appears, and I just love it!
    It is the perfect time to sit with my book and watch the sun wake. So peaceful!

    Gemma
    Faded Windmills

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    1. I love my sleep too, but i love getting up early even more haha! xx

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  10. Woah. That title just became my motto :'D
    makeupforlunch.blogspot.com

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  11. I so wish I was an early bird. I'm always waking up at 11 or 12 on weekends and I feel like I've wasted half of my day! Hopefully I'll grow out of it ha! Lovely post. x

    ms-emr.blogspot.com

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    1. aw i hope you grow out of it too! its so lovely waking up early knowing you have a whole day ahead xx

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  12. As much as I used to hate it that now I know how much I appreciate it being awake earlier! I do that all the time now!

    Anna, Yay Interiors + Lifestyle & Beauty

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    1. i was the complete same, i used to hate it! xx

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  13. Wise words to live by, Amy! I'm an early bird myself and I think maybe it's time to try some meditation x

    Laura | FASHION, EATS & TREATS

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  14. I've found that going to bed earlier, not just sleeping, but just resting in bed an hour before you sleep makes you more calmer and relaxed, so when you want to sleep you actually do it quicker


    Anjna Harish

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    1. aww i can imagine thats really relaxing! xx

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  15. Great advice Amy, thank you! I was struggling to find time to get everything done so I set my alarm to give myself a whole hour devoted to blogging and it's been soooo productive! www.myhousecandy.blogspot.co.uk

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  16. You're a 100% right! I agree with everything you say. I actually wake up at like 6 am every day even on weekdays and I can happily say it's a great lifestyle !!

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  17. I'm an early bird too, always up early no matter how early I go to bed the night before. I'd love to try some form of meditation, perhaps yoga? Great advice loved this post!xx

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  18. I already get up at 5:30am so don't think I can wake up earlier!

    Natalie x

    http://iloveyour.co.uk/

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  19. Nice little post :) I don't get up as early as you, somehow I don't know if I'd be able to function haha but I need to set my alarm no matter what! Nothing worse than having a long lie in and wasting half the day :) x

    www.lifeaslissy.com

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  20. I also have an internal clock. I wake up at 7 every day but I'll force myself to go back to sleep lol I just feel like I never have enough sleep! But I do love it when the sun is shinning and I'm up early. It definitely feels like my days are more productive and I'm more energized for some reason.

    Giselle ♥ www.redlipstickandchampagnedreams.com

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  21. Hi Amy, this is a great post, I love reading your blog so I've nominated you to for the 'Versatile Blogger Award'. It's a great way to increase your followers and grow your blog's presence online. Check out my most recent post to find out what you have to do!
    Tamara :)
    http://tooclumsyforcavalli.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/versatile-blogger-award.html

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  22. hey amy! Just read this post right on time - it's 7.am here in Vienna and I'm up since six o'clock :P I can confirm what you've said and although I'm a person who loves to stay in bed all day, it's really good to be productive that early <3

    greetings from Vienna | xx Belle
    thewearabelle.com

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  23. hey amy! Just read this post right on time - it's 7.am here in Vienna and I'm up since six o'clock :P I can confirm what you've said and although I'm a person who loves to stay in bed all day, it's really good to be productive that early <3

    greetings from Vienna | xx Belle
    thewearabelle.com

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  24. this is so important and something i fall out of routine regularly with! However I'm keen now to do this as it's so lovely to wake up now in the mornings due to the sun peeping through my window! It makes me feel a lot more organised
    www.emilyjanewebb.co.uk

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    1. i agree its a much easier habit to maintain in the summer! xx

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  25. Loved this! Thanks for checking out my Wakeup Wednesday video!!!

    www.thesunnyscenery.com

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  26. I absolutely love this post! I have always been an early morning person too and this has really motivated me to make the most of my mornings!

    helloelibeth.com

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  27. I am inspired by this post and hope to get motivated to wake up a little bit earlier. I love my pillow and some days it is hard to not hit the snooze button ;)
    www.angelarosebenson.blogspot.ca

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    1. your comments are putting really big smiles on my face :) xx

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  28. Wish I was as committed as you in waking up early. Unfortunately, I'm more a night owl than an early bird. You go girl! xx

    thechapalangway.blogspot.sg/

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    1. sometimes i wish i was more of a night owl but i guess the grass is always greener! xx

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